buying a 1997 456gta

You need to get a copy of the back issue of Forza with the "456 Buyer's Guide"....

 

any idea on the month and date of that issue?

-Michael

 

Well I just bought one this weekend in texas and drove it back 1300 miles without a hitch.
I also own a 355. I can tell you they are totally different. It is real easy to break out the back
end on the 456 when first accelerating. Got to get those tires hot first. Obviously the gearing
is totally different it seemed to like 3rd gear at 70mph to get up and pass cars.. Yours being a Auto
will be different. It does not corner as tight as the 355, but it is an amazing car! I am keeping my 355 for getting out and racing the canyons and the 456 for those fun touring family drives. After talking with 3 different ferrari dealers on the window issue.. I have found that even if you have the windows done that the problem can come back. They basically said the best thing is to never close the door with the window as it knocks the alignment on the window. The windows come down about an inch when you first open the door to let the seal between the window and the door come apart this makes for a better seal. My wifes BMW does the same thing. So back the window problem after doing a lot of
research and talking with people.. what I have found is that they can take apart the door and align the
window back as a first start.. Then if that does not work.. it is replacing the window motors, glass,
etc.. Though as one guy told me they are hand built cars and even getting the replacement glass
and such does not always fit and they have to mess with it to make it work.

It is always good to do research on an F-Car before buying them.. but as you know from
owning a 355 every F-Car has its little issues. Like on the 355 the console deteriorating and melting.
The ECUs, the CATs, etc..

So even if you buy the 456 and it has not had the windows done.. just make sure they
seal.. If it gets really bad.. have them align the windows first.. Then on to full replacement.
Though I have been told the full replacement for 8k does not solve the problem necessarily.
So just scream at folks when they try and close the door with the window!!

Also I understand that with the GTA there is more weight for the car, so you are more likely
to through brakes. Also if the transmission every goes out on a GTA it can be really
expensive as opposed to the GT. Though again talking with Ferrari dealers I have
been told they don't see issues with the powertrain and the engines. They see other small
stuff.. Though I will have an entirely different story in the future no doubt. Also
I was told that it is not uncommon for there to be value cover leakage and leakage near the
cam seal. I was told to have these replaced everytime you do the cam belts and they said
that would be an extra 1k. It is kind of like doing all that extra not necessarily needed
maintence on your 355 when they drop the engine to do the belts. It costs more, but
is alot cheaper than if they have to go back in later to replace something that failed.

Have fun with the car!

 

Buy a manual transmission 456GT instead. You will enjoy is so much more. I have over 80,000 miles on my BMW M5, 6 speed in Atlanta traffic which makes Indy look like Montana! You get used to changing gears after a month or so and develope short cuts in traffic. Like I'll go from 1st to 4th a lot of times. I can drink coffee, talk on the cell phone and shift all at the same time while cruising in rush hour traffic on I-85! FYI, from what I've been told you cannot rebuild the Ferrari auto transmission and a new one cost $50k !

 

I have a hard time believing it can't be rebuilt. Perhaps the real problem is finding parts? I've heard 56k for the transmission, but I heard it hear on
F-Chat.

 

vsnqust: Is the car Roland sent me a picture of with cows and mud and Woofy? Seriously I have had two 456's and would be pleased to answer any questions. I like mine a lot with the exception of several little design issues which have been discussed here many times. Also I think the window issue is a little overblown, but it IS an issue.

 

I agree the window issue is definately an issue. One thing about ferraris is everyone
starts listing off all the problems and it tends to scare folks. I know with my 355 I got a list
of issues that folks told me about.. It was great to have the information.. but I now have 30k miles
on my 355 and all I do is change the fluids and put gas in it. I have done the majors and such
along the way, but it is a very reliable car. I feel the same about the 456 having only owned it
now 3 days.. but after driving it 1300 miles I think it is an awesome car.. and I know that
I am going to probably find some issues in the next month.. but once I have those addressed
my guess is I won't have any other major issues than changing the fluids, the cam belts and
keeping people from shutting the door with the window! Could I get your direct email so I
could email you directly if I have questions. You can just email it to me at mine - [email protected]. Also where are you located?

Thanks,
Todd

 

The parts guy at Ferrari of Orange County said it was a GM unit and can be worked on by AAmco or any tranny guy willing to take the time to figure it out

 

I thought it was a gm trans aswell...but it is not. It is a Richarson trans. This company makrs racong transmissions. I belevie the 456 is the first production car they have built a transmission for.

 

Issue #53 May 2004

 

I almost bought a 99 456 that had the tranny rebuilt. According to the invoice, it cost $5,000. Not too bad.

js

 

Two words come to mind, ...good luck...